Men's Basketball

Transy Men's Hoops Dedicates Season 3-pointers to Alum Max Gjerde

Nov 08, 2013

Release courtesy of Transylvania University

LEXINGTON, KY - On Friday, Transylvania alum
Max Gjerde '09 put the game of basketball into perspective for the
Pioneer men's basketball team.

Max Gjerde was a long-time fan of the Transylvania men's
basketball team who had a reputation for supporting the Pioneers as
part of the "Crimson Crazies" student fan group. Gjerde was an
exceptional student at Transylvania. A graduate of Walton-Verona
High School where he ran cross country, he received one of
Transylvania's prestigious William T. Young Scholarships and
studied international affairs. He had a very promising future ahead
of him.

After graduating from Transylvania, as he prepared to enter UK's
Patterson School of Diplomacy, he was diagnosed with a rare form of
soft tissue cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. When it was
diagnosed, it was stage 4.

The last few years have been difficult for Gjerde, but he his
passion for Transylvania basketball thrived. Though he had tickets
to the Kentucky vs.Transylvania game on Nov. 1, he found himself in
the hospital unable attend.

Gjerde's nurse at UK Children's Hospital called Transylvania's
Athletics Director, Holly
Sheilley, and asked if she thought Head Coach Brian
Lane and the team might contact Max before the game.

Lane didn't hesitate.

Minutes before walking into the doors of Rupp Arena, Lane and the
men's basketball team took time to video chat with Gjerde from his
hospital room at UK Children's Hospital. Gjerde's nurse, Diana,
told Sheilley that getting a chance to talk with the team had a
huge impact on him. It put him right in the middle of the action,
and it boosted his spirits immeasurably.

In speaking with Gjerde, Lane promised that "all of tonight's
three-pointers are for you." And, the promise stuck. Gjerde's
roommate and friend Bryan Conover began the #3sforMax
hashtag on Twitter, which grew in popularity among alums, staff,
faculty and students alike.

Lane made a surprise stop by the hospital to see Gjerde on Sunday.
On Monday at 9:07 a.m., Max lost his battle to cancer, just weeks
before his 27th birthday.

In talking with some of Gjerde's closest friends, one can hear the
stories that reflect the true nature of who he was. It was his
easy-going nature, his attitude about his illness and his general
charisma that drew so many people to him and to his story.
Estimates are that he had 100 visitors during his last week in the
hospital, and it's said that nurses plan to name their children
after him.

Near and dear to Gjerde's heart was his charity of choice:
3 Little Birds 4
Life. Their mission is to enhance the lives of young adult
cancer patients with any type of cancer at any stage.

This season, Lane and the Pioneers have decided to continue their
#3sforMax for the 2013-14 season, giving every pledged
donation to 3 Little Birds 4 Life in honor of Gjerde.